Well it’s been a cold start to the year but all the year groups have kept busy and have enjoyed the changes in the woods including the pond freezing over, the frost and even the trees damaged by the high winds!

Year 2 have been comparing the woodland to their recent farm visit.
They have claimed their own trees in the woods and these trees will play a valuable part in their learning experience. Year 2 have also started to independently risk assess and learning how to use different parts of the wood safely. We also celebrated Winnie the Pooh day and he and his friends are going to be helping us in the woods. They have been enjoying using all the challenge areas in the woods and the importance of appropriate clothing during the winter months. For the final weeks of term we listened to the story The Best Nest and built our own nests using natural materials.

Year  3 did an amazing job for the RSPB bird watch. Their identification skills have improved immensely, even to the point that some birds can now be recognised in flight. Our results were registered on line with the RSPB and we now have a lovely certificate to prove our participation.While learning about birds we investigated migration and were surprised how many miles some birds cover each year.  We have made a new friend in the woods, Glasbren. He is our woodland guardian and helps us to think how to be good in the woods and good for the woods.
We made a promise to Glasbren to always be respectful to nature  and responsible for its welfare, the groups have secret codes to indicate a commitment and have created a list to help the woods better eg maintain the pathways that are being eroded due to the weather conditions and sorting through the dead wood.

Year 4 have learnt how to calculate the age of a tree without cutting it down. We also made lists of things we make from trees and the good and bad points of trees being destroyed and the impact on the world around us. We explored the work of the FSC and the importance of forest management for the sustainability of the planet.
They have completed extensive research into products produced sustainably by FSC.
They have also been using tools to create habitats which involved lots of measuring and collaboration with a friend. They are also participating in in a tree survey of the woodland area to move us forward to planting our new trees from Woodlands Trust.

Year 5 have completed an important investigation cased on rubbish and recycling. They have learnt the negative effects that landfill have and been amazed of the outcome of their own landfill project which has been going on for over a year. Both groups were shocked to discover that there was very little deterioration in plastic and metal items despite being exposed to the elements . This has highlighted the importance of recycling whenever possible.
Year 5 have also begun to use the steel and flint and are beginning to understand the importance of safety.They understand that the spark is created by friction and that the sparks gravitate downwards and that lots of accuracy is involved actually starting a controlled burn. They have also been working on their den building skills, ensuring they use appropriate equipment correctly and purposely.

All in all it has been a quick but busy term.
We have lovely sounds and sights of spring in the woods and will continue to feed our feathered friends through the cold and wet days.